Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: M13 Aircrewman

Serial Number: C369105

Year of Manufacture: 1956 

Caliber: .38 Special/ Low-pressure M41 Special Ball 

Action Type: 6-Shot Double / Single Action, Swing-Out Fluted Cylinder Revolver

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “.38 SPL. ***. *”,but is obscured by a torch cut; the right is marked with “SMITH & WESSON”. The side plate has S&W’s monogram logo, the right side of the frame is marked with the four line Marcas Registradas. The sides of the grip frame have inspection marks. The butt of the grip frame is marked with the serial number. The backstrap is marked “PROPERTY OF U.S. AIR FORCE”. The topstrap is marked "REVOLVER, LIGHTWEIGHT, M13”. The left side of the frame is marked “P”. The inside of the right grip panel is stamped “369 / 104”. This is strange being one consecutive digit away from the serial.

Barrel Length: 2″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch at the rear of the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut magna stocks with S&W logo medallions and smooth diamonds around the grip screws. There are some scattered little compressions, scuffs, draglines, and dings. The checkering is strong. The grips rate in about good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Black Alloy with Blued Steel Barrel

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The obscured by a torch cut through the barrel.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 50% of its metal finish. The barrel and action have been cut. The temperature of the cutting device was high enough to actually weld the action closed and impede this item from ever working again. There are slag and burn marks of a considerable proportion on the left side of the revolver. The cuts were not completed as they go almost unnoticed on the right side of the gun. There is some notable slag on the right side of the ejector rod. The hammer has been misshapened and it shows from the right side. There are some scattered little nicks and scuffs. The cylinder has some spots of erosion and wear on the chamber faces and timing notches. The spots on the cylinder and one spot on the barrel have been covered by black permanent marker. There is also light finish loss on the trigger guard. The screw heads are lightly tool marked. The remaining markings are very clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about poor condition.

Mechanics: Due to the poor condition of the weapon and to the alloy construction of the cylinder, we do not recommend shooting this revolver, even if it were possible. The barrel has material loss. The action does not function correctly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: none

Our Assessment: When the Korean War started in 1950, the US Air Force put out a call for lightweight, compact personal defense weapons they could issue to aircrews. Colt and Smith & Wesson, two of the largest and oldest revolver manufacturers, both submitted prototypes that used aluminum alloys in their designs. The Air Force would adopt Smith & Wesson’s design and ordered over 40,000 of these lightweight six shooters in .38 Special. These would arm aircrewmen as well as agents in the Office of Special Investigations.

Unfortunately, the aluminum alloy that was so cutting edge and lightweight that it helped Smith & Wesson win the Air Force contract was this product’s ultimate undoing. By 1959, many of the aluminum cylinders and frames of these revolvers showed significant breaks, cracks, and weaknesses, some units having ruptured altogether. The Smith & Wesson M13 Aircrewmen revolver, which requires the low-pressure M41 Special Ball ammunition as they couldn’t withstand commercial ammo loaded with lead bullets, was scrapped (literally, in most cases). But these guns were the beginning of a revolution in gun materials, and this revolver and its accessories showcase that history perfectly. Whether you’re a general firearms collector, military historian, or specifically a Smith & Wesson fan, this revolver would improve any collection it joined.